VALR Teams Up with Mukuru to Introduce USDC Wallet for African Users

In a notable collaboration, VALR and Mukuru are launching a USDC wallet specifically designed for users in Africa. This development occurs amid a growing interest in stablecoins and increased regulatory clarity surrounding cryptocurrency. The initiative aims to help millions of Mukuru users navigate currency volatility with ease.

Key Takeaways

VALR and Mukuru are launching a USDC wallet to help African users with stablecoin access.
The introduction of the GENIUS Act in the U.S. creates a favorable regulatory backdrop for stablecoins.
South Africa has seen substantial regulatory developments, strengthening its role in the crypto space.
USDC is increasingly popular as a stable store of value, especially in regions with limited access to physical currency.
Mukuru processes over 100 million transactions, making it a prominent player in cross-border financial services.

VALR & Mukuru Collaborate to Launch USDC Wallet for African Users

Main Content

With the GENIUS Act, which marks America's first significant federal legislation on stablecoins, set to take effect in July 2025, VALR's collaboration with Mukuru comes at a pivotal time of rising interest and regulatory assurance for stablecoins worldwide. Since April 2024, South Africa has approved over 200 crypto asset service providers, enhancing its legislative framework for crypto assets and solidifying its status as a hub for crypto innovation. Notably, VALR obtained its Over-The-Counter Derivatives Provider license from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority in October 2025 and was also licensed as a Crypto Financial Services Provider in 2024. In the past year alone, VALR has successfully processed a staggering $9 billion in trading volume.

USDC, boasting a market valuation exceeding $75 billion, ranks as the second-largest stablecoin globally and has turned into an essential store of wealth in areas where access to cash is limited. According to data from Chainalysis, stablecoins account for 43% of cryptocurrency transactions in sub-Saharan Africa, with South Africa and Nigeria at the forefront. The VALR-supported USDC wallet, accessible via Mukuru’s WhatsApp platform, significantly reduces exposure to local currency volatility, allowing Mukuru's extensive user base to easily buy, hold, and sell USDC.

Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Johannesburg, VALR is a global cryptocurrency exchange backed by notable investors such as Pantera Capital, Coinbase Ventures, and Fidelity’s F-Prime. The company offers a diverse range of services, including Spot Trading, Spot Margin, Perpetual Futures, Staking, Lending, Borrowing, OTC services, VALR Invest, and VALR Pay. With regulatory approvals in Europe and a license from South Africa's FSCA, VALR caters to a clientele of 1,900 corporate and institutional clients worldwide, in addition to over 1.6 million users. The exchange is dedicated to fostering a fair financial future centered on human dignity and global solidarity.

Mukuru stands out as a leading platform for next-generation financial services, with a robust user base of more than 17 million across Africa, Asia, and Europe. The company leverages technology to deliver affordable and accessible financial services through both physical and digital channels, having processed over 100 million transactions across more than 570 corridors. Mukuru has received accolades as an award-winning employer and innovator, including recognition in the FXC Intelligence Top 100 Cross-Border Payment Companies six times. Mukuru.com